PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 116, 2 February 1918, Page 8

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Much of the later flews of the strikes in Germany suggests that they are likely to lead up to such a crisis as would tell heavi'iy upon the war, but evidenco on thi& point is not yet complete. It 'is of good promise that the German authorities are apparently recking strenuous efforts to minimise the character and extent of the upheaval. The adoption of these tactics would manifestly afford the best possible proof that the position is really serious. On the other hand, there are still some grounds for suspecting that the strikes have been in part stage-managed wi(|h a view to influencing Allied opinion. It is by 110 means a good sign that Scheidlsiann, tho leader of the German Majority Socialists, is taking an active part with the strikers. Every decisive test thus far applied has shown 'Scheidemanij and his faction to be part "and parcel of t|ie. Prussian military 'iiiachinc, and ■■ their present action must of necessity bo regarded with deep suspicion. It is reported that all the German Socialist parties have sunk their differences and united in support of the strike movement, but this is emphatically a report which needs confirmation. Perhaps the most illuminating messages appearing to-day arc pilose relating to the German Press. Several newspapers, including the Socialist VorwnerU, havo been suspended, but Vorwaerts was not suspended until it had called upon English' and French workers to show that thoy are in earnest about peaco and declared that "It ia not only a matter of achieving unity at home, but of calling over the frontiers, and the trenches to ask ior solidarity the -foreign 'working classes." Tins appeal obviously is issued with ,the full approval of the German G6vcrnment, which on this occasion, as often before, has used f-ormicrls as an instrument _of propaganda. Tho "suppression" of Vorwaerts, along with other papers, is manifestly intended to suggest that a bogus appeal, concocted not by the German Socialists, but by their 'military, masters, is genuine. . With this cvidenco of duplicity in hand it is obviously ncccssary to regard all reports relating to the strike with reservo until tliwy are tested by events.

* . * * *, ,• There is every reason In Iksiono that President Wu.scin speaks from a sound appreciation of I,ho facts in declaring that the crisis of tho war has arrived and Mint this year s achievements must dolermiue. tho issue. His statement, is not an attempt to predict tho further duration of the war, but it is bawil on cardinal facts, and, definite as it is, i.t is not more (loHuito tlnm ll'mo facts warrant. Tliii! year will see Britain capable of muleHMuoi* a maximum effort, tuul it: will we also a powerful Auwi'loiu* i\V\\\y i)> i'w field. It will tiee the \lllw in »■ oosition of Ilhiiulul.e f.tij)el'ioril.V su far as huiuaii «lid. material resources are eoueol'iiecl. Clrttuled unfaltering resolve on Iho part of Iho Allies the evenfi) of this year, even if Gerinaiii' contrived to slave off complete defeat, will make her doom plainly manifest and remove all possibility of doubt. A stag.' his been readied at which tie Allies"will at least make rapid and visible progress towards their goal unless they arc .hampered b.v weakeliiue; dissensions \wi.thin their own ranks.' It is therefore well within Mm fuels to say that thin achievements must determine the issue,

A JiiNOii bill interesting event in reported from Holland. I'or tho first time, sin-c Hi*? war began two German airmen crossed I In? frontier, destroyed tlioir machine, an>] desorted.' Desertions fruin Ihc German Army 'ire, o.(i course, common. It was computed some time ago tli:it therft were 15,000 German deserters in Holland alone, and as many more in Switzerland. But airmen are in a elass anart. They frc men selected for their exceptional quality, ami it is reasonable to regard the German Air Service as containing the best and inos* determined .soldiers at Germany's eommand. That even I,wo airmen should desert is .therefore'a von' 4riking indication (if declining German moral.